Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Not Just OK; Great!) today threatened those wavering Democrats who voted “no” last November on the House version of the Stalinization of Health Care Act of 2010 and who switch to support it now:

Be prepared to defend selling your vote in the House

In a press conference, flanked by other members of the Legislature, Senator Coburn warned those who flip-flop that if they lose their jobs in Congress and think they’ll just coast into an Administration appointment (promised them by the president in exchange for committing political suicide on his behalf), their nominations will be held up in the Senate. Furthermore, any earmarks or other set-asides for their districts will be scrutinized and publicized by the Republicans.

This is bare-knuckles, and is about as fair as you can get: If Pelosi wants you to fall on your sword to save her and the president’s necks, don’t think we’re going to let you get away with it.

-Nick (ColoradoPatriot, from TML)

UPDATE: Here are Coburns actual words, from K-Lo at the Corner:

I want to send a couple of messages to my colleagues in the House.

If you voted no and you vote yes, and you lose your election, and you think any nomination to a federal position isn’t going to be held in the Senate, I’ve got news for you. It’s going to be held.

Number two is, if you get a deal, a parochial deal for you or your district, I’ve already instructed my staff and the staff of seven other senators that we will look at every appropriations bill, at every level, at every instance, and we will outline it by district, and we will associate that with the buying of your vote. So, if you think you can cut a deal now, and it not come out until after the election, I want to tell you that isn’t going to happen. And be prepared to defend selling your vote in the House.

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